'Serious failings' at academy chain

02 May 2012

The rapid growth of academy chains has been one of the most significant - if relatively quiet - developments in schools policy in England. There has already been concern about the very large salaries paid to some of the Chief Executives of these chains, many of which now have numbers of schools running into double figures.

So this week's outcome of the Department for Education's investigation into the Lincolnshire-based Priory Federation, which has three schools in it, is an important warning sign. The investigation found 'serious failings' in relation to financial management. The Federation's Trust has accepted responsibility and the Chief Executive, Richard Gilliland, has left.

The full report is worth reading for the shocking details of how an individual manager could so drastically misuse school funds. These include using schools funds for personal use and the purchase and decoration of a floor of a Manor House to meet the needs of the CEO and his wife not the needs of the Federation.

There are now 48 academy chains, covering nearly 350 academies. Some are getting very big and are almost mini-local education authorities. Indeed just 9 chains account for 182 open or planned academies.

As has been documented by The Guardian, several of the senior staff of these chains receive salaries in the region of £200,000 a year.

A recent report by Robert Hill into academy chains for the National College of School Leadership found that in a couple of cases schools are contributing more than 6% of their General Annual Grant to the chain for central administration and running costs.

Big salaries and expensive bureaucracy -- does that remind you of the complaints we used to hear about Local Education Authorities?

News reaches me that Ofsted inspectors have recently taken to threatening schools that Ofsted will be taking seriously any breach of the requirement not to reveal Ofsted judgements until reports are officially published. Wonder if that will apply to one of Gove’s academy darlings.http://www.assignmentplus.co.uk/accounting-assignment/

I think it is really a shameful and shocking news about seriously embezzlement in chain of school academies in England.The authorities are just concerned with filling their own pockets and no regards for students. The education has become a profitable business nowadays to earn huge amount of money by the fee payments of students.The mannerism good teachings and ethics are simply gone!! http://www.essayarena.co.uk/essay-writing-service/">Essay Assistance

Alan22 - 12 Sep 2014

The act of Shame!!

I think it is really a shameful and shocking news about seriously embezzlement in chain of school academies in England.The authorities are just concerned with filling their own pockets and no regards for students. The education has become a profitable business nowadays to earn huge amount of money by the fee payments of students.The mannerism good teachings and ethics are simply gone!! http://www.essayarena.co.uk/essay-writing-service/

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The mushroom growth of these academy chains has been overshadowed by our media I think and this has been so disappointing because we have not been able to point a finger at the real evil. Education should never be sacrificed for money and commercial use of academies must come to an end. http://www.essayarsenal.co.uk/essay-writing-service-uk.aspx